Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has released video and audio recordings of an incident that occurred during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where she was reportedly escorted out of a concert due to a lack of proper credentials. The recordings capture Hidalgo asserting that she was mishandled during the event.
In her social media posts, Hidalgo shared two videos and two audio recordings, stating, “This is not about a wristband or a ticket or a concert. It is about the mentality of some people and the way they treat others.” Her comments come after an incident in which she attempted to access premium seating without the necessary tickets.
In the first video, Hidalgo is seen being escorted from the venue by several rodeo staff members, while she expresses concern for two children who were also removed from their seats. In a follow-up recording, she can be heard discussing the situation with Chris Boleman, President and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Hidalgo expressed her frustration in a lengthy social media post, detailing that her guests, including the parents of a deceased U.S. Air Force sergeant, were removed from their seats during a performance. She emphasized that this was their first public event since their loss and stated that she had requested security footage of the entire incident to ensure transparency.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo responded to the incident, clarifying that Hidalgo had received numerous tickets for previous events and had been informed multiple times that she did not have the required wristbands for that evening. The organization emphasized that it must enforce its access policies uniformly and expressed disappointment over Hidalgo’s actions.
In the wake of the incident, the Houston Police Officers’ Union shared a post on social media that depicted a woman resembling Hidalgo being escorted by an officer, which they labeled as satire. They used the post to comment on the situation and emphasize that the rules apply to everyone.
Hidalgo, in her correspondence with rodeo leadership, pointed out that she had previously been allowed on the dirt of the rodeo without a wristband due to her position and the county’s relationship with the event. The ongoing discourse highlights the tension between public officials and event organizers regarding access and treatment at public events.
